London: Contradicting reports in a section of the Indian media, Belgium has said that no undertaking but only an update was given to India on jewellery magnate Mehul Choksi’s extradition during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s visit to New Delhi last week.In response to a direct query by this writer to De Wever seeking clarification on what, according to him, transpired during his talks in Delhi and what his government’s position was in Choksi’s case, a Belgian official replied that an update on the judicial process was communicated.The official said:“During the visit, the Belgian side provided an update on the ongoing judicial process. This was appreciated by the Indian side, which expressed its wish for the normal legal proceedings to be concluded and confirmed that it fully respects and understands the need for those proceedings to run their course. The Indian side neither requested nor implied any form of special intervention in the ongoing process.”A section of Indian mainstream media had claimed Belgium had been “very affirmative” on sending back Choksi to India. The Belgian response above also contradicts reports which suggested India pressed the Belgian premier on the matter.‘Governed by the rule of law’: BelgiumPreviously, too, Belgian lawyers and officials have clearly explained the procedure prevailing in Belgium governing extradition. In April, a lower court in Antwerp extended a conditional advice to the Belgian minister of justice Annelies Verlinden to extradite Choksi. The minister has not decided on the matter yet. Even if she rules in favour of Choksi’s extradition, the fugitive diamantaire has two more levels of appeal available to him in the Belgian judicial system. He may also have an option to approach the European Court of Human Rights seeing that his refusal to return to India for questioning in the $2-billion Punjab National Bank fraud case is founded on accusing Indian authorities of kidnapping him in the Caribbean and attempting to rendition him to India, and that he will not receive a fair treatment and be tortured if taken to India.The response from a Belgian official to five questions put to De Wever said, “Belgium is a state governed by the rule of law and the separation of powers. It is for the competent judicial authorities to assess the case, including all relevant legal arguments and Belgium’s international obligations, in accordance with the applicable procedures.”It underlined, “The Belgian government does not interfere in individual judicial proceedings and will not prejudge their outcome.”Did defence contracts play a role?There has been talk on punitive action against Choksi beginning only after India placed a lucrative order of nearly € 1 billion for gun turrets for Indian Army tanks with a Belgian firm in March 2025. He was arrested a fortnight after this deal. No move had been made earlier, despite the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation’s request to Belgian authorities to arrest Choksi having been submitted many months earlier on 2024.During De Wever’s visit, there were a number of developments which suggested further consolidation of defence ties between India and Belgium. In a press statement on September 3, Modi remarked, “The agreements between our governments and defence industries will open up new opportunities for defence co-development and co-production.” He added, “We will also further strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation between our agencies in combating crime.”Listing outcomes from the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted memoranda of understanding on defence and between the CBI and Belgium Federal Police.The India-Belgium joint statement at the end of De Wever’s visit outlined, “On defence cooperation, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent between the two Ministries of Defence… They noted that the agreement builds upon the understanding reached between the Defence Ministers of India and Belgium in March 2025 to institutionalise and further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.”Defence orders have been a potent weapon for the Modi government to ward off uncomfortable situations, such as criticism from other countries about its record on democracy, freedom and human rights, and as an inducement to extract favours.India’s enhanced defence partnership with Belgium could well be a coincidence and there could also be justification for acquiring Belgian defence equipment – quality- and price-wise.For the record, the Belgian side denies any link between arms exports and Choksi’s case.De Wever was categorically asked by this writer, “Is the Belgian government willing to extradite Choksi in exchange for defence orders worth billions of euros as a quid pro quo?”The answer given: “Any suggestion that Mr Choksi’s case was or could be linked to defence contracts or other economic agreements between Belgium and India is incorrect.”